A faint voice sounded from the side, seemingly tinged with a hint of killing intent.
Xiao Hongchen reacted immediately, quickly stepping aside.
"Meng, don't mess around. There are a lot of people here."
Meng Hongchen snorted lightly, saying, "I'll deal with you when we get back."
Xiao Hongchen's face stiffened, and he hurriedly cast a pleading look at Su Yu.
Su Yu acted as if he hadn't seen it at all—who told Xiao Hongchen to be such a rascal?
It was about time someone taught him a lesson.
"What a pair of shameless lovers," Xiao Hongchen thought indignantly.
Those two always targeted him; it was simply inhuman.
Ignoring the clownish Xiao Hongchen, Su Yu's gaze shifted to Zhang Lexuan on the other side.
Zhang Lexuan was curiously sizing up the girls behind Su Yu.
Even she was shocked by the odd combination of Su Yu's team.
After all, aside from Su Yu, the whole team was made up of absolute beauties.
Zhang Lexuan knew a bit about Xue Di, Wang Dong'er, Lan Lan, and Jiang Nannan.
But as for Di Mingli and Lan Fozi, she knew nothing.
However, being a Super Douluo, Zhang Lexuan naturally had keen eyes.
She could tell at a glance that these two girls were extraordinary.
Lan Fozi had a special heroic aura, more of a neutral beauty.
The faint soul power waves she emitted showed she was very advanced.
The thickness of her soul power surpassed anyone in the Shrek Academy battle team.
No doubt, Lan Fozi was also a Soul Emperor, at least above level 65.
She didn't look older than eighteen or nineteen, to have such soul power—she was truly a rare genius.
As for Di Mingli.
The first moment Zhang Lexuan saw her, she couldn't look away.
Unlike Lan Fozi's calm temperament, Di Mingli was dazzling and flamboyant—a beauty both noble and aggressive.
In Zhang Lexuan's perception, Di Mingli's whole body pulsed with vitality, brimming with energy, like a humanoid beast.
She had only felt this kind of presence from Su Yu before.
There was no doubt—this girl's physique was astonishingly strong.
And her soul power was nearly at the Soul Sage level.
Given her apparent age, about the same as Su Yu, there was no question—she was another peerless genius.
Zhang Lexuan wondered, just where did Su Yu find so many outstanding girls?
Any one of them would be a top candidate for cultivation at Shrek Academy.
Yet they all clustered in Su Yu's team.
A hint of curiosity flashed in Zhang Lexuan's eyes.
As she was observing Di Mingli, Di Mingli seemed to sense it, and her icy blue eyes swept over.
Di Mingli's gaze was cold and overbearing, full of pressure, with an untamed wildness.
Zhang Lexuan was surprised and softly murmured, "What a proud girl."
Di Mingli's pride was engraved in her bones. Everything about her exuded aloofness.
Except when facing Su Yu, she never smiled at anyone.
As an imperial auspicious beast, Di Mingli naturally had her pride.
"What are you looking at?"
Su Yu's voice sounded at the right moment, pulling Zhang Lexuan back to herself.
Meeting Su Yu's familiar gentle gaze, Zhang Lexuan smiled gracefully. "Xiao Yu, looks like you've gained two more reliable partners."
Su Yu chuckled and added, "Mingli is my fiancée."
He glanced at Di Mingli, and Zhang Lexuan followed his gaze, suddenly understanding.
"No wonder."
Zhang Lexuan seemed to have figured it out.
She thought to herself, no wonder there was such an extraordinary girl—it was another peach blossom Su Yu had attracted.
She was about to say something when two resentful gazes shot over from beside her.
Especially one of them—the resentment was almost palpable.
They'd heard Su Yu's words loud and clear.
Su Yu's mouth twitched. Of course, he knew whose gaze that was.
Han Ruoruo and Wu Ming.
Especially Wu Ming—Su Yu understood her feelings well.
But to Su Yu, Wu Ming just didn't quite move his heart.
He didn't dislike her, but she didn't give him that spark.
He admitted he was a bit picky; he wanted his women to truly love him, not choose him based on pros and cons.
Unconsciously picking at his nails, Su Yu pretended it was nothing and turned his head, making Wu Ming and Han Ruoruo even more furious.
Han Ruoruo was better at hiding it, but Wu Ming almost lost her composure.
"Damn it!"
Wu Ming gritted her teeth—Su Yu, that jerk, was ignoring her again.
Zhang Lexuan shook her head with a bitter smile and could only try to comfort Wu Ming.
Gradually, daylight brightened.
The morning sun cast golden rays as if cloaking all the contestants in gold. More teams continued to arrive.
At this moment, Xu Jiujiu led the Star Luo National Academy team into the canopy.
Xu Jiujiu looked sullen, clearly in a bad mood, but she smiled when she saw Su Yu.
After some talking, Su Yu learned that Xu Jiujiu's team hadn't been assigned to the top floor.
As a princess of the Star Luo Empire, Xu Jiujiu felt slighted and was annoyed at the Sun Moon Empire organizers.
Su Yu was also surprised—the Star Luo National Academy team hadn't been given the top floor.
The top floor had eight sky villas—surely Star Luo's team shouldn't be treated so poorly.
No wonder Xu Jiujiu was upset.
If he were in her place, he'd be upset too.
After chatting, Xu Jiujiu led her team to their seats. Wang Dong'er couldn't help but curl her lips.
She could never like Xu Jiujiu.
"So, another rival."
Not far away, Wu Ming murmured, seeing Xu Jiujiu's expression—she knew Xu Jiujiu had the same motives as herself.
Rivals traveling together—Wu Ming certainly saw Xu Jiujiu as an enemy and competitor.
"Looks like the Star Luo Empire also wants to form a marriage alliance with Su Yu. Makes sense; it's the most cost-effective way to maintain ties."
Han Ruoruo agreed.
"They even sent their best princess—Star Luo Empire is willing."
Wu Ming pouted.
"No choice. Only the best are worthy of Su Yu. Aren't we the same?"
"But Xu Jiujiu can't compare to Lexuan. Judging from her look, she's probably the only one interested; Su Yu doesn't care about her at all."
Han Ruoruo guessed.
"Hmph, Su Yu's such a jerk. His standards are pretty high."
Wu Ming snorted with meaning.
Su Yu didn't just ignore Xu Jiujiu; he ignored them too.
"No choice. He must be blind—can't see how great our Ming'er is."
Han Ruoruo teased.
"Sister Ruoruo!"
Wu Ming protested, tugging at Han Ruoruo.
Zhang Lexuan laughed and shook her head. Time passed, and another team walked by.
Zhang Lexuan's expression tightened, her gaze sharp.
This team all wore black uniforms and conical hats, their faces hidden by black veils.
Leading them was a pale, middle-aged man in a black robe with a gloomy look.
Zhang Lexuan frowned. This group's aura was dark and filled with an ominous presence.
And one of them had a familiar feeling.
Zhang Lexuan extended her spiritual sense and saw clearly beneath the veil.
That was… Tang Ya!
As Zhang Lexuan was observing, the middle-aged man turned and glared coldly at her.
Zhang Lexuan was unafraid. Their eyes met in midair, sparks flying.
"Hmph!"
An invisible mental shock swept through the man's mind like a wave.
He shuddered and looked over.
Su Yu stood there, face cold as ice, mouthing two words: "Zhang Peng."
The man's eyes narrowed. Looking behind Su Yu's group, he saw a figure appear.
Seeing that figure, the man's pale face twitched. He quickly looked away and led his group to the other side.
Su Yu watched them leave, his expression cold and hard as a glacier.
Zhang Lexuan turned to Su Yu and whispered, "Tang Ya is with them—I saw her."
Su Yu nodded. "That's the Holy Spirit Sect. The leader should be Scorpion Tiger Douluo, Zhang Peng."
"Zhang Peng?"
Zhang Lexuan was surprised. "The same Zhang Peng who was chased by Elder Mu, but later released?"
Su Yu nodded. "That's him. His martial soul relies on absorbing soul beast blood. He wasn't a complete evil soul master at first."
"But later, he gave up on himself and joined the Holy Spirit Sect, becoming one of their elders."
"But Zhang Peng isn't that strong—about the same as your academy's Xian Lin'er."
"Dean Xian Lin'er just broke through to Super Douluo recently!"
Zhang Lexuan said in surprise.
"Zhang Peng is also a Super Douluo. The Holy Spirit Sect has quite a few Super Douluo."
Su Yu shook his head.
"That's… quite a formidable foe."
Zhang Lexuan's gaze grew grave. The Holy Spirit Sect was truly a huge threat.
"Not to be underestimated, but no need to be overly worried—I'm here."
Su Yu reassured her.
Zhang Lexuan smiled and nodded, then asked, "The Holy Spirit Sect is here to compete too. What will you do?"
"Since they're here, let them rest in peace here~"
Zhang Lexuan hesitated, "But Tang Ya…"
"Tang Ya?"
Su Yu didn't care. "Tang Ya can wait until after the competition—I promised you that."
"But as for the others, let's take this chance to deal with them all."
"You're planning to kill during the tournament?"
Zhang Lexuan looked shocked.
Su Yu shook his head. "They can't be called people."
Are evil soul masters even human?
At most, they're beasts.
"…True, but be careful. Evil soul masters are always tricky."
Zhang Lexuan warned.
Su Yu smiled and nodded.
After a while, almost all the teams had arrived.
At that moment, a squad of special soldiers quickly marched to the north side of the stage.
These soldiers wore golden uniforms and kept a low profile, but their soul power was obvious.
A team of five hundred moved without making a sound.
They surrounded the stage, then heavy cannons were set up, their muzzles aimed outward.
They formed a tight formation, thoroughly protecting the stage.
"What… what is this?"
Most present had no idea who this elite force was.
Such a well-equipped unit was rare.
Those cannons were at least seventh-level soul tools.
This was no ordinary group.
"The Royal Soul Engineer Regiment," Su Yu murmured.
"Xiao Yu, you know them?" Zhang Lexuan looked at him. Wu Ming, Han Ruoruo, and the other girls perked up to listen.
Su Yu explained softly, "The Royal Soul Engineer Regiment—this is one of the Sun Moon Empire's true core forces."
"There are a thousand members, all at least fifth-level soul engineers, equipped with the finest soul tools. The regiment commander is a ninth-level soul engineer."
"In the Sun Moon Empire, their importance is second only to the Illustrious Virtue Hall."
Zhang Lexuan's eyebrows twitched. "Such an elite force! Xiao Yu, how do they compare to your Ice God Guards?"
Su Yu thought for a moment. "If both sides sent a thousand, the Ice God Guards wouldn't necessarily win."
"Only the Ice God Palace Guards are more elite."
"The Palace Guard soldiers start at Soul Emperor, and many are Titled Douluo. Their leaders are the nine Ice God Guardians."
Zhang Lexuan's eyes twitched, and Xiao Hongchen, eavesdropping, couldn't help but react.
Damn, what did he just hear?
"A force starting at Soul Emperor? Can you get any more outrageous?"
Xiao Hongchen muttered quietly.
"You're something else," Zhang Lexuan sighed.
Han Ruoruo and Wu Ming were also shocked, realizing the depth of the Ice God Palace's power.
A corps starting at Soul Emperor? They would never have imagined it.
Su Yu smiled and waved. "The Palace Guards don't come out easily—they have their missions."
"I can only command the Ice God Guards freely."
"That's more than enough. Your Ice God Guards are more than a thousand strong!"
Zhang Lexuan teased.
Su Yu just smiled.
Indeed, if each side sent a thousand, the Ice God Guards might not win.
But the Ice God Guards had over eight thousand members, while the Royal Regiment had only a thousand.
Numbers alone could overwhelm the Royal Regiment.
This so-called trump card of the Sun Moon Empire was nothing special in Su Yu's eyes.
The only thing in the Sun Moon Empire worth noting was the Illustrious Virtue Hall.
If the Illustrious Virtue Hall teamed up with the Holy Spirit Sect, that could be a real headache.